MCA writes to CM Uddhav Thackeray, seeks guidelines to resume training amid COVID

With Maharashtra government unveiling fourth phase of 'Mission Begin Again' in a bid to dilute COVID-19 forced lockdown, Mumbai Cricket Association has sought guidelines from Uddhav Thackeray-led administration to resume training. MCA has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister and highlighted that body has followed all guidelines issued till day and assured to do so in future. However, it also stated that thousands of players are 'anxiously' waiting to pursue ir career. 

In a letter to CM, MCA secretary Sanjay Naik and joint secretary Shahalam Shaikh wrote, "We have to understand that re are thousands of players who are anxiously waiting to get back to cricketing activities and pursue ir careers. y have been patiently waiting for this pandemic to get over. However, it seems that we have to learn to live with virus," as per PTI. 

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Furrmore, cricketing body appealed, "In se unprecedented times, we request you to kindly provide us some guidelines/standard operating procedures regarding getting back to cricket. We intend to keep all players well informed so that y follow all government guidelines."

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Team India players are raring to resume training as international cricket, too, eyes resumption with upcoming Test series between England and West Indies, Several players including Shardul Thakur and Cheteshwar Pujara have already resumed training. Rohit Sharma has also just started running having followed gym routine prepared by trainer Nick Webb. 

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Maharashtra's 'Mission Begin Again'

On May 31, Maharashtra issued lockdown guidelines for new lockdown valid till June 30. In addition to Centre's guidelines for reopening in phases, Maharashtra has imposed phase-wise reopening of activities in areas of MCGM (Mumbai), Municipal Corporations of Pune, Solapur, Aurangabad, Malegaon, Nashik, Dhule, Jalgaon, Akola, Amravati, and Nagpur. In rest of state, all activities are allowed except for ones mentioned in prohibited list.

As mentioned in prohibited activities, Maharashtra government has banned opening of Cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, atres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls - in line with Centre's guidelines. In addition, Maharashtra has also banned re-opening of Barber Shops, Spas, Saloons, Beauty Parlours and religious places of worship. Maharashtra has also restricted inter-state and intra-state travel unless one has a pass.

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